Bag With Tablet Holder

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a bag with tablet holder that includes a body defining an inner compartment, a tablet pocket on the body defining a device compartment, a top opening defined by the body providing access to the inner compartment, and a rear opening to the tablet pocket providing access to the device compartment. An access flap extends from an edge of the tablet pocket and is movable between a closed position where it is secured over the pocket, and an open position where the pocket is uncovered and tablet is accessible. The device compartment includes a plurality of retention panels forming a border configured to receive and retain an electronic tablet in the pocket. The tablet can be accessed and used while remaining within the pocket in the bag.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a bag, and, morespecifically, to a bag with a tablet holder and a movable access flapthat allows a user to view and use the tablet from the exterior of thebag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handheld electronic devices, and specifically electronic tablets, e.g.,the iPad® (a tablet sold by Apple Inc.), are becoming more commonplacein society, with more people using such devices to manage their everydaytasks and needs. As such, people who may want to frequently access thesedevices will carry them around so that they are available at all times.In response to this necessity, individualized carrying bags and caseshave been developed. However, conventional carrying bags for a tabletrequire removal of the tablet from their bag for use and return of thetablet to the bag when the use has finished. For a person who checks orutilizes a tablet frequently throughout the day, this can be a verytiresome and repetitive task.

Furthermore, many people already carry bags around with them duringtheir daily activities, be it a handbag, messenger bag, laptop bag, etc.Having to carry a second bag is troublesome and often difficult tomanage. As such, people simply place their tablet in the same bag theynormally carry, along with their other items, e.g., keys, pens, papers,coins, etc. This can result in the tablet screen being scratched or thetablet itself being damaged.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a bag that overcame oneor more of the above-described drawbacks and/or disadvantages of theprior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In preferred embodiments, a bag is provided that includes a bodydefining a top opening and an inner compartment with the top openingproviding access to the inner compartment. A tablet pocket is providedon the body. The tablet pocket has a rear opening and a devicecompartment for holding a tablet. An access flap extends from an edge ofthe tablet pocket and is movable between a closed position and an openposition. The bag includes attachment means for attaching the accessflap to the body to cover the device compartment. A plurality ofretention panels are secured within the device compartment andconfigured to extend about a portion of a perimeter of a tablet. In analternate embodiment, the bag comprises a body defining a top opening, afirst inner compartment and a second inner compartment separated by aninternal divider, with the top opening providing access to the first andsecond inner compartments. An access flap extends from the body and ismovable between a closed position and an open position. The bag includesattachment means for attaching the access flap to the body to cover thesecond inner compartment. A plurality of retention panels are securedwithin the second inner compartment and configured to extend about aportion of a perimeter of a tablet.

The bag can be used for daily use and also hold a tablet that can beviewed from the exterior of the bag without removing the tablet from thebag.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention and/or of thecurrent embodiments thereof will become more readily apparent in view ofthe following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the present invention, reference is madeto the following detailed description of the exemplary embodimentsconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the bag with tabletholder of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1, showing anaccess flap in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bag of FIG. 1 taken along line4-4;

FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of the bag with tabletholder of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the bag of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the bag of FIG. 5, showing anaccess flap in an open position;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bag of FIG. 5 taken along line8-8;

FIG. 9 is a partial-cutaway rear perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1showing a tablet being inserted into a device compartment;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the bag of FIG. 9 showing an access flap in anopen position and a tablet secured by retention panels; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 5 showing a tabletbeing inserted into a device compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a bag 10 is shown in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted thatthe bag 10 could be a handbag, pocketbook, messenger bag, laptop bag, orany other suitable bag for carrying items. The bag 10, as shown,includes a body 12, a cover flap 14, and a strap 16. A latch mechanism18 may be provided on the bag 10 such that a first latch portion 20 isprovided on the cover flap 14 and a second latch portion 22 is providedon the body 12. The first latch portion 20 and the second latch portion22 are configured to engage in a mating fashion to secure the cover flap14 across the body 12 of the bag 10, thus covering a top opening 24 ofthe body 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, the body 12 defines an inner compartment 26, and issubstantially closed except for the top opening 24, which providesaccess to an inner compartment 26. The body 12 may be any suitable shapeand is not limited to one that has a “top,” but instead may be, forexample, circular in nature with a portion of the perimeter defining the“top opening.” The top opening 24 may be “open” at all times or mayinclude a zipper, not shown, or other mechanism for closing the topopening 24.

The cover flap 14 is connected to the body 12 at a first end, and isreleasably secured to the body 12 at a second end by the latch mechanism18. When the first latch portion 20 and the second latch portion 22 arenot engaged, the cover flap 14 can be moved to uncover or cover the topopening 24, making the inner compartment 26 either accessible orinaccessible. When the cover flap 14 is moved to cover the top opening24, the first latch portion 20 may be engaged with the second latchportion 22, securing the cover flap 14 in a position covering the topopening 24 and making the inner compartment 26 inaccessible. The latchmechanism 18 may be any type of latch mechanism known in the art. Forexample, the latch mechanism 18 may be magnetic, snap-fit, lock-fit,hook and loop closure, etc. Of course, the bags discussed herein do notrequire a cover flap and/or a latch mechanism.

If the bag 10 includes the strap 16, the strap 16 may be secured to thebody 12 and positioned so that first and second ends of the strap 16extend from opposite sides of the bag 10. The strap 16 may be any typeof strap that is customary or known in the art, and may include multipleadjustable components. Additionally, the strap 16 may be releasablyattached to the body 12.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag 10 of the present inventionshowing a tablet pocket 30 on a side of the bag 10. The tablet pocket 30includes a rear opening 32 and a cover such as an access flap 40. Therear opening 32 may include a zipper 42 for securely closing the rearopening 32. Other closure mechanisms besides a zipper can be used, forexample, a series of snap-fits, buttons, a hook and loop fastener, etc.

The access flap 40 extends from the body 12 along a bottom edge. Theaccess flap 40 covers a device compartment 50 and can be opened toprovide access to a tablet in the tablet pocket 30. The access flap 40can be attached to the body 12, over the tablet pocket 30 by one or morefastening mechanism such as by a first securing mechanism (e.g., azipper) 44 and a second securing mechanism (e.g., a zipper) 46 paralleland opposite to the first zipper 44. The first and second zippers 44, 46are configured to secure the access flap 40 to the body 12. As shown inFIG. 2, when the first zipper 44 and the second zipper 46 are closed,the access flap 40 is tightly secured to the body 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bag 10 is shown with the first and secondzippers 44, 46 opened, and the access flap 40 moved away from the bag10, e.g., in an open position. The access flap 40 may include one ormore male snap buttons 56 to engage one or more female snap buttons 58located on the body 12. This permits a top portion of the access flap 40to be secured to the body 12 along with the sides, which are secured bythe first and second zippers 44, 46. When the access flap 40 is in theopen position, an open window 48 is exposed and access is provided to adevice compartment 50 within the tablet pocket 30. The devicecompartment 50 is accessible both through the open window 48 and throughthe rear opening 32 when the zipper 42 is opened. The device compartment50 includes a plurality of retention panels 52 that are secured abouttheir periphery to an internal tablet pocket wall 54. The plurality ofretention panels 52 serve to retain the tablet and form a borderconfigured to extend over perimeter edges of a standard tablet, such asan iPad, allowing the tablet to be inserted between the plurality ofretention panels 52 and the internal tablet pocket wall 54 so that thetablet screen can be viewed and accessed through the window 48. Althoughthree retention panels 52 are shown in FIG. 3, more or less panels canbe used. Additionally, the open window 48 can be configured so that aportion, e.g., the top portion, overlaps a part of the tablet perimeter,further retaining the tablet within the device compartment 50. Moreover,the retention panels 52 may include specific features corresponding todesign features of tablets. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, asemi-circle is removed from one of the plurality of retention panels 52allowing the “home” button of an iPad to be accessed by a user, while anoval is removed from another one of the plurality of retention panels 52allowing an iPad camera to operate while it is secured by the retentionpanels 52. Additionally, the retention panels 52 may be formed of amolded leather that provides added rigidity, structure, and shape to theretention panels 52. The retention panels 52 may be formed to have aconcave shape such that they extend outwardly from the internal tabletpocket wall 54 that they are secured to, and can cup around the edges ofa tablet. As such, the retention panels 52 are shaped to receive andhold a tablet around edges thereof.

Additionally, the access flap 40 may include internal padding to providecushioning for a tablet when it is secured within the device compartment50. Such padding can provide a level of protection for the tablet sothat it is not easily damaged in the bag 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, another embodiment of the bag 110 of thepresent invention is shown. FIG. 5 is a front view of the bag 110,which, as shown, includes a body 112, a cover flap 114, and a strap 116.A latch mechanism 118 may be provided on the bag 110 such that a firstlatch portion 120 is provided on the cover flap 114 and a second latchportion 122 is provided on the body 112. The first latch portion 120 andthe second latch portion 122 are configured to engage in a matingfashion to secure the cover flap 114 across the body 112 of the bag 110,thus covering a top opening 124 (FIG. 8) of the body 112.

As shown in FIG. 8, the body 112 defines a first inner compartment 126,and a second inner compartment 128 that are substantially closed exceptfor the top opening 124, which provides access to the first and secondinner compartments 126, 128. The first and second inner compartments126, 128 are separated by an internal divider 130. As discussed withreference to the first embodiment, the body 112 may be any suitableshape and is not limited to one that has a “top,” but instead may be,for example, circular in nature with a portion of the perimeter definingthe “top opening.” The top opening 124 may be “open” at all times or mayinclude a zipper, not shown, or other mechanism for closing the topopening 124.

The cover flap 114 functions similar to the cover flap 14 discussed withreference to FIGS. 1-4. To reiterate, the cover flap 114 is connected tothe body 112 at a first end, and is releasably secured to the body 112at a second end by the latch mechanism 118. When the first latch portion120 and the second latch portion 122 are not engaged, the cover flap 114can be moved to uncover or cover the top opening 124, making the firstand second inner compartments 126, 128 either accessible orinaccessible. When the cover flap 114 is moved to cover the top opening124 the first latch portion 120 may be engaged with the second latchportion 122, which is then rotated, securing the cover flap 114 in aposition covering the top opening 124 and making the first and secondinner compartments 126, 128 inaccessible through the top opening 124.The latch mechanism 118 may be any type of latch mechanism known in theart. For example, the latch mechanism 118 may be magnetic, snap-fit,lock-fit, hook and loop fasteners, etc. Of course, the bag 110 discussedherein does not require a cover flap 114 and/or a latch mechanism 118.

If the bag 110 includes the strap 116, the strap 116 may be secured tothe cover flap 114 and positioned so that first and second ends of thestrap 116 extend from opposite ends of the cover flap 114. The strap 116may be any type of strap that is customary or known in the art, and mayinclude multiple adjustable components. Additionally, the strap 116 maybe releasably attached to the cover flap 114, or may be configuredidentical to the strap 16 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-4,e.g., extending from opposite ends of the bag 110. Similarly, the strap16 of FIGS. 1-4 may be configured identical to the strap 116 describedherein with reference to FIGS. 5-8.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the bag 110 of the present invention illustrating anaccess flap 140 on a side of the bag 110. The access flap 140 extendsfrom the body 112 along a bottom edge. The access flap 140 covers thesecond inner compartment 128 and can be opened to provide access to atablet in the second inner compartment 128. The access flap 140 can beattached to the body 112 by one or more fastening mechanisms, such as afirst securing mechanism (e.g., a zipper) 144 and a second securingmechanism (e.g., a second zipper) 146 parallel and opposite to the firstzipper 144. The first and second zippers 144, 146 are configured tosecure the access flap 140 to the body 112. As shown in FIG. 5, when thefirst zipper 144 and the second zipper 146 are closed, the access flap140 is tightly secured to the body 112.

Referring to FIG. 7, the bag 110 is shown with the first and secondzippers 144, 146 opened, and the access flap 140 moved away from the bag110, e.g., in an open position. The access flap 140 may additionallyinclude one or more male snap buttons 156 to engage one or more femalesnap buttons 158 located on the body 112. This permits a top portion ofthe access flap 140 to be secured to the body 112 along with the sides,which are secured by the first and second zippers 144, 146. When theaccess flap 140 is in the open position, an open window 148 is exposedand access is provided to the second inner compartment 128. The secondinner compartment 128 is accessible both through the top opening 124 andthrough the open window 148 when the access flap 140 is unzipped. Thesecond inner compartment 128 includes a plurality of retention panels152 that are secured about their periphery to a wall of the internaldivider 130 adjacent the second inner compartment 128. The plurality ofretention panels 152 form a border configured to extend over perimeteredges of a standard tablet, such as an iPad, allowing the tablet to beinserted between the plurality of retention panels 152 and the internaldivider 130 so that the tablet screen can be viewed and accessed throughthe open window 148. While three retention panels 152 are shown in FIG.7, more or less panels can be used. Further, the retention panels 152may be formed of a molded leather that provides added rigidity,structure, and shape to the retention panels 152. The retention panels152 may be formed to have a concave shape such that they extendoutwardly from the internal divider 130 that they are secured to, andcan cup around the edges of a tablet. As such, the retention panels 152are shaped to receive and hold a tablet around edges thereof.

Additionally, the access flap 140 may include internal padding toprovide cushioning for a tablet when it is secured within the secondinner compartment 128. Such padding can provide a level of protectionfor the tablet so that it is not easily damaged in the bag 110.

Further, the retention panels 152 may include specific featurescorresponding to design features of tablets. For example, as shown inFIG. 7, a semi-circle shape is removed from one of the plurality ofretention panels 152 that allows the “home” button of an iPad to beaccessed by a user.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a tablet being inserted into the bag 10. In use, thebag 10 of FIGS. 1-4 will function for its intended purpose, e.g., as ahand bag, a pocketbook, a messenger bag, a laptop bag, etc. As such, auser can place the strap 16 across his or her shoulder to carry the bag10. The user can unlock the latch mechanism 18 and place any items he orshe wishes to carry within the inner compartment 26. The user can thenclose the latch mechanism 18, thus covering the top opening 24.Alternatively, the bag 10 may not have a cover flap 14, instead the topopening 24 could include a zipper which closes the top opening 24,securing a user's items within the inner compartment 26.

The user can then unzip the zipper 42 of the tablet pocket 30 providingaccess to the device compartment 50. At this point, the user can slidetheir tablet through the rear opening 32, into the device compartment50, and between the plurality of retention panels 52 and the internaltablet pocket wall 54, with the tablet screen facing away from theinternal tablet pocket wall 54. The rear opening zipper 42 could then beclosed, securing the tablet within the tablet pocket 30. Alternatively,for a user to secure their tablet within the bag 110 of FIGS. 5-8, asshown in FIG. 11, he or she would simply unlock the latch mechanism 118and insert the tablet through the top opening 124 of the bag 110 intothe second inner compartment 128, and between the plurality of retentionpanels 152 and the internal divider 130, with the tablet screen facingaway from the internal divider 130. The path and direction of insertionis further illustrated by arrow A of FIG. 8. The user can then close thelatch mechanism 118, thus covering the top opening 124.

When the user needs to use the tablet, they can simply unsnap the one ormore male snap buttons 56, 156 from the one or more female snap buttons58, 158 and unzip the first zipper 44, 144 and the second zipper 46,146. This will allow the access flap 40, 140 to be moved away from thebag 10, 110, thus exposing the window 48, 148, providing access to thetablet that is secured by the plurality of retention panels 52, 152within the device compartment 50 or second inner compartment 128. Theuser can then use the tablet for whatever purpose required, whether itbe getting directions, checking their schedule, browsing the internet,etc., while the tablet is retained within the device compartment 50 orthe second inner compartment 128. When the user is finished using thetablet he or she can simply zip the first zipper 44, 144 and the secondzipper 46, 146, and snap the one or more male snap buttons 56, 156 andthe one or more female snap buttons 58, 158 together, closing the accessflap 40, 140 and securing the tablet within the device compartment 50 orsecond inner compartment 128, away from outside tampering. The bag 10,110 can then be used as it normally would be for daily activities. Theaccess flap 40, 140 can be configured in various ways and can connectwith the bag 10, 110, over the device compartment 50 or the second innercompartment 128, in any way known in the art. Any other cover that canopen to provide access to a tablet in a tablet pocket on a bag is withinthe scope of the present invention. Any suitable materials known in theart can be used for the bag and the components thereof.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present inventiondescribed herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in theart may make many variations and modifications without departing fromthe spirit and the scope of the invention. All such variations andmodifications, including those discussed above, are intended to beincluded within the scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bag with tablet holder, comprising: a bodydefining a top opening and an inner compartment, the top openingproviding access to the inner compartment; a tablet pocket on the bodyhaving a rear opening, and a device compartment, the rear openingproviding access to the device compartment; a cover extending from anedge of the tablet pocket and movable between a closed position and anopen position; attachment means for attaching the cover to the body; anda plurality of retention panels secured within the device compartmentand configured to extend about a portion of a perimeter of a tablet. 2.The bag with tablet holder of claim 1, wherein the attachment meansprovides for the cover to move between a closed position and an openposition.
 3. The bag with tablet holder of claim 2, wherein when thecover is in the open position, a window to the device compartment isexposed and the device compartment is accessible through the window, andwhen the cover is in the closed position, the window is covered and thedevice compartment is not accessible through the window.
 4. The bag withtablet holder of claim 2, further comprising a first latch portion on acover flap of the bag and a second latch portion on the body, whereinthe first latch portion and the second latch portion are configured toreleasably engage.
 5. The bag with tablet holder of claim 4, wherein thelatch mechanism is comprised of any one of hook and loop fasteners,magnets, snap buttons, or a buckle.
 6. The bag with tablet holder ofclaim 1, wherein the attachment means includes any one of zippers,magnets, buttons, or hook and loop fastener.
 7. The bag with tabletholder of claim 1, further comprising one or more male snap buttonsprovided on an interior of the cover and one or more female snap buttonsprovided on an exterior of the tablet pocket, wherein the one or moremale snap buttons and the one or more female snap buttons are configuredfor mating and releasably securing the cover with the tablet pocket. 8.The bag with tablet holder of claim 1, wherein the cover includespadding.
 9. The bag with tablet holder of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof retention panels are formed from molded leather.
 10. A bag withtablet holder, comprising: a body defining a top opening, a first innercompartment and a second inner compartment separated by an internaldivider, the top opening providing access to the first inner compartmentand the second inner compartment; an access flap extending from the bodyand movable between a closed position and an open position; andattachment means for attaching the access flap to the body; and aplurality of retention panels secured within the second innercompartment and configured to extend about a portion of a perimeter of atablet.
 11. The bag with tablet holder of claim 10, wherein the accessflap is movable between a first position whereby the access flap isclosed and a second position whereby the access flap is open.
 12. Thebag with tablet holder of claim 11, wherein when the access flap is inthe open position, a window to the device compartment is exposed and thedevice compartment is accessible through the window, and when the accessflap is in the closed position, the window is covered by the access flapand the device compartment is not accessible through the window.
 13. Thebag with tablet holder of claim 10, further comprising a lockingmechanism including a first latch portion provided on a cover flap ofthe bag and a second latch portion provided on the body, wherein thefirst latch portion and the second latch portion are configured toreleasably engage.
 14. The bag with tablet holder of claim 13, whereinthe locking mechanism is comprised of any one of hook and loopfasteners, magnets, snap buttons, or a buckle.
 15. The bag with tabletholder of claim 10, wherein the attachment means includes any one ofzippers, magnets, buttons, or hook and loop fastener.
 16. with tabletholder of claim 10, further comprising one or more male snap buttonsprovided on an interior of the access flap and one or more female snapbuttons provided on an exterior of the body, wherein the one or moremale snap buttons and the one or more female snap buttons are configuredfor mating and releasably securing the access flap with the body. 17.The bag with tablet holder of claim 10, wherein the access flap includespadding.
 18. The bag with tablet holder of claim 10, wherein theplurality of retention panels are formed from molded leather.
 19. Amethod of storing an electronic tablet in a handbag and using a tabletcomprising: inserting an electronic tablet into a tablet pocket of abag; closing the tablet pocket to retain the tablet in the pocket;opening an access flap to expose a tablet in the tablet pocket;utilizing a tablet in the tablet pocket from the exterior of the pocketwithout removing a tablet from the pocket; closing the access flap afterusing a tablet; and using the bag to transport a tablet.